Mural reveals ancient connection to Uzbekistan [7th century Korean envoys?]

JoongAng Daily ^ | Friday, November 27, 2009 | Yim Seung-hye

[SunkenCiv]

In 1965, a mural was discovered in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, when local authorities decided to build a road in the middle of the Afrasiab tepe. A tepe is a mound marking an ancient site, in this case pre-Mongol Samarkand. When it was found, the mural was weathered and its images obscured. But those who discovered it had the foresight to make a drawing of it, from which replicas have been made. A replica of this mural is now being shown as part of the exhibit "The Crossroads of Civilizations: The Asian Culture of Uzbekistan" until September of next year at the National Museum of Korea's Asian Arts Gallery. The relics in the exhibition show the historical connection between ancient Korea and Uzbekistan through the Silk Road. Considering the distance and the travel routes in place at the time, the history of the relationship that developed between the two countries is indeed remarkable... In the 7th century, the mural covered all four walls of a room in Afrasiab Palace in Samarkand, with each wall depicting a different scene. The western wall depicts what are believed to be two Korean men from the Goguryeo Dynasty (37 B.C.-668) having an audience with the king... The actual nationality of the two men in the painting was long debated by specialists, with some saying that their clothing shows they are from the Silla (57 B.C.-935) or Balhae (698-926) eras. With the revelation of the jougwan, however, many have concluded that the men are from the Goguryeo era.

[SunkenCiv]

A replica of an ancient mural that is part of an exhibition at the National Museum of Korea shows the connections between Korea and Uzbekistan. Provided by the National Museum of Korea

[SunkenCiv]

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[JoeProBono]

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

[Cacique]

btt

[americanophile]

"When it was found, the mural was weathered and its images obscured. But those who discovered it had the foresight to make a drawing of it, from which replicas have been made."

Very interesting, but did they not have the foresight to preserve it from destruction from the road construction as well?

[SunkenCiv]

The mural couldn’t be moved, so this replica (and apparently others) was made for study and display elsewhere. ‘Cause, I mean, Uzbekistan? “The wife and I are going to Uzbekistan to visit their museums and other cultural landmarks.”

[blam]

Excellent. Some wear pant and some don’t.

[colorado tanker]

The pre-Islam period is interesting in Sogdiana history. At the time they were merchants very active in the China trade and theirs was a commercial language on the Silk Road. They were on very good terms with the Chinese, even after the Turks conquered them shortly before the Muslims.

What I did not appreciate until this post was how active Korea was in the Silk Road trade. Interesting.